Page 21 of Secret Baby Daddies
“Yeah, of course I do! I just…this is…it’s a blatant display of money and- and…they’re poisonous. They sent me a huge bouquet of poisonous flowers. And you know these flowers often times symbolize purity? Purity! Hello! They took my virginity and now they’re sending me flowers that pretty much mean virginity?”
Hunter whistled and held up her hands. “You’ve gone off the deep end, babe. No one but you would know the meaning of it. They probably just called up someone and had an expensive bouquet put together.”
I deflated and all my anger poofed out of existence, leaving behind a sad lady who was terrified of what she’d gotten herself into.
“Yeah, I lost it there for a second, didn’t I?”
She hugged me tight.
“Three hot silver foxes sent you flowers, Harley. Just enjoy this moment. Has anyone ever sent you flowers?”
I groaned and covered my face with my hands.
“No. No one. And it really is a beautiful arrangement. It definitely cost more than my rent, though. It’s too much. And what do they want with me? I’m just…me. Is it just for The Baby? I’m so confused.”
She pulled me back to my work table and guided my hands to the flowers I’d grabbed for Micah’s arrangement.
“Work. You always feel better when you work. I think the flowers mean they’re interested in you. And the baby. Either way, it’s just flowers, babe.”
I glared at her.
“It’s neverjustflowers.”
She reached into her back pocket.
“Finish Hunter’s arrangement and I’ll give you something I think is going to make a lot of your stress just float away.”
I looked down and realized I’d grabbed daisies.
“Oh, god. I have baby brain already. Daisies can symbolize childbirth.”
“Alright, just put the flowers in the wrapper thing and tie it up. I’m ready to give you this.” Hunter bounced on her feet and ignored the grumbling I did about her not appreciating my work. As soon as I was done she held an envelope out to me. “I was so shocked the other day that I didn’t even compute that you were freaking out about money. When Micah told me everything later I felt like an asshole. The auction, Harley. You get sixty percent of your bid.”
My body went cold as I opened the envelope and pulled out a check written out to me in the amount of one point two millions dollars. I was frozen.
“No more worrying about money, babe.”
No more worrying about money. Holy shit.
CHAPTER 19
Harley
I stared across my apartment at the bouquet I couldn’t make myself leave at work. It looked so far out of place in my dingy home. I had my phone and the card that came with the flowers in one hand and the check in the other. Somehow, losing the money part of my troubles didn’t make me feel less overwhelmed.
I glanced down at the card in my hand and decided I couldn’t put it off anymore. There was only one thing on the card, a single number. I put it in my phone and typed out a simple message.
The flowers are beautiful. I appreciate the gesture
I winced but sent it anyway. It was the stiffest, most awkward message I’d ever sent to anyone. When my phone immediately started ringing I screamed and nearly tossed it across the room.
There was no way I was answering their call. What was I supposed to say? What did they even want? A text notification made me groan. I was so lost.
Answer your phone, little bunny
Luc. I swallowed a lump of nerves in my throat and replied.
No, thank you
